Office workers spend most of their time sitting on their office chairs, usually in front of a computer, in order to get their work done. Sitting on office chairs for a long time, however, can take its toll on the body. It can lead to impaired blood circulation of the body, to sore and weakened muscles, to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, among many others. But sitting on office chairs for prolonged periods is inevitable because that is just how most work is done in the office nowadays, so it is important for office chairs to be ergonomic.

Ergonomics is the application of scientific principles that will increase productivity in the workplace while keeping work-related injuries to the body at a minimum. Ergonomics plays a huge role in the design of office chairs nowadays, and ergonomic office chairs have five important features. These features are:

1.Ergonomic office chairs have enough space for the hips and thighs. Office chairs should also be amply cushioned. In this way, the nerves and the veins in the hips, thighs and buttocks would not be pinched, as pinching can lead to numbness and impaired blood circulation. The cushioning on office chairs will also prevent the muscles in the buttocks and the back of the thighs from becoming sore.

2.Ergonomic office chairs have firm, contoured backs, which are designed to provide support to the lower, middle and upper back. A common problem experienced by office workers when sitting far too long at their desks is back pain. The muscles of the back get weakened from sitting for prolonged periods. Office chairs that have backs that are contoured and firm will provide sufficient support for the muscles of the back as well as the spine, which will then prevent the body from experiencing soreness and sustaining injuries.

3.The backrests of ergonomic office chairs are also adjustable in height. Office chairs that have adjustable backrests will allow the people sitting on them to lean back and rest their necks comfortably when they need to do so. Not having enough support to the upper back and the neck can lead to soreness of muscles, not to mention migraine.

4.Ergonomic office chairs are supposed to have armrests that are adjustable, as well as cushioned and contoured to the shape of the arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a problem that most office workers experience, as repetitive stress on the arms tends to make the muscles of the arm contract. This then leads to the narrowing of the carpal tunnel in the wrist, and the narrowing pinches the nerves there, causing debilitating pain. This ailment can be prevented if the office chairs being used provide enough support for the arms.

5.Good ergonomic office chairs have a five-point tip base. Once in a while, the person sitting on the chair will need to recline his or her chair for a bit in order to rest the back and the neck. This is to reduce the strain on the back and on the neck, which is inevitable when sitting down for long hours at a time. Using office chairs with a five-point tip base will prevent the chair from accidentally tipping over when reclining. Tipping over can result in injuries to the head and to other parts of the body.

Office chairs used in the workplace should have these five features. These features are put into office chairs not just for the sake of comfort, but also for the sake of the workers’ well-being.